2. Memory

The first time we touched, well, really touched that is to say, to be fully aware of it and focused on the feeling, was by pure accident.

It was well lit in the ship, and I had just finished searching Nemo's extensive library - how that man has so many books in this vessel and still finds other things to do is beyond me - and was walking back to my cabin. Nothing was relatively out of the ordinary, to say. Edward was scowling away at me for being such a 'dandy', as I'll call it politely, for departing after Ms. Harker arrived in the room.

'You're a bloody poof, Henry, you know that.' he growled. 'Try riling her up a bit, or better yet, just let me out and I'll show the smarmy little tail how to use that-'

"Edward, stop it!" I nearly yelled, pinching between my eyes where the throbbing stab of a headache was forming. I started moving faster, eager to get into my cabin where I could be yelled at in private. It was this, I now understand, that caused the whole incident.

One more left turn and I was free, but as I rounded the corner I didn't have time to stop before I collided with another hurried passenger. We struck, two forces oblivious to each other before now coming into annoying awareness, and I let out a yelp along with my companion. The angle and the speed were too much, and I was sent sprawling on the floor, arms and legs spread out at odd angles, staring at the Nautilus's cream ceiling.

Edward's screech of 'What the hell!' was the first thing I heard over the pounding in my ears. But before I saw a face, someone was softly asking if I was alright. I looked lower, finding the brown leathery sheen of a familiar duster suspended next to my flopped-out right arm.

"Skinner?" I groaned out angrily. "Aren't you supposed to be dressed!"

"I am!" he protested, his usual amusement clearly heard, as the arms of his coat gestured down his invisible torso. The blood pounded through my skull and I squeezed my eyes shut of the light to ward of the nausea gathering at the back of my throat.

"You alright, Jekyll?" his question was concerned, and I felt the rustle of leather on my forearm as he leaned closer.

"Fine." I muttered. I blinked, realizing how ridiculous I must look, spread out across the floor with no intention to do anything about it. Trying to breathe through my nose, I shifted to my elbows, wary of the pops and snaps that my legs made as they moved to rise. A light pressure along my shoulders and back steadied me as I struggled forward.

"Lemme help ya up, mate. I's the least I can do." He offered an arm and I gladly grasped it, surprised when I was tugged forward, suddenly vertical. My head felt light and dizzy, and I knew somewhere that I would be meeting the floor soon again as I swayed backward, in full view of the invisible man only clad in coat and pants . A small string of curses were let out before I was gripped and pulled back from my descent.

I could not remember the last time I had been that close to anyone - in my right mind that is - but I do remember thinking it was not such a bad thing. I had always thought Skinner would be cold, never wearing much in the chilly hull of the ship, and was surprised as my face was pressed into his shoulder, his arms wrapped protective around my back. His chest was warm, impossibly warm, penetrating my coat and vest and shirt all the way to my skin, our sternums in full contact. I felt the smoothness of his ear, and the textured neck from a lifetime of rough days and cold nights against my cheek. The muscles and tendons of his arm rippled and stretched under the side of my face. Strong arms were still tight around me, and it felt safe, my hands dangling limp by my sides. I was fixed in time, listening to his confused rush of breath. It was…comfortable.

He cleared his throat, arms going flaccid around me after a light pat, and I frowned at the loss of contact and the new awareness of our predicament.

"Well then," Skinner sighed, "let's go 'bout not runnin' around half-clothed again, shall we? I'll keep my dress on an keep you standin', mate." There it was again, a lightness in his voice, but this time it seemed to be a front.

Dumbly, I nodded as he gave another quick pat and stepped past me, his bare feet padding away. I stared down the corridor, drawing a blank as to what I was doing before his embrace.

'Tisk, tisk, Henry. Now I see where your drawers are pointing. Looks like I'm gonna have to be the one to satisfy Mina, seeing as your just lookin' for another filthy-'

"Shut it, Edward." I mumbled half-hearted.

I started walking forward again, working the buttons of my vest, at a loss for why I was still so lightheaded and why my heart was beating that fast.